THE  LIBRARY 
OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE  PILGRIM'S  STAFF 


BY 
MAY   LOUISE    TIBBITS 


Hope  is  the  pilgrim's  staff, 

A  friend 

Unto  life's  journey's  end. 


BOSTON 
SHERMAN,  FRENCH  6-  COMPANY 

1911 


COPYRIGHT,  1911 
SHERMAN,  FRENCH  <S-  COMPANY 


TO 

MY 

SISTER  CECELIA 

Thy  faithfulness,  O  sister  soul, 

Will  help  me  reach  the  Heavenly  goal. 


The  following  poems  are  used  by  kind  permission 
of  The  Christian  Advocate,  Western  Christian  Advocate, 
Sunday  School  Journal  and  Bible  Students  Magazine: 

THE  SOUL'S  FLIGHT 

IF  WE  COULD  UNDERSTAND 

KINDNESS 

POURED  OUT 

SERVICE 

SORROW'S  ALCHEMY 

THY  DAY 

As  A  LITTLE  CHILD 

ANYWHERE 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE  SOUL'S  FLIGHT 1 

GOD'S   ACRE 2 

IF   WE   HAD  ONLY  KNOWN 3 

OUR    OWN 4 

PURIFIED        5 

SORROW'S   ALCHEMY 6 

GOD'S    SCHOOL    .*'•.-. 7 

COMPANIONSHIP 8 

FAITH »9 

AS  A  LITTLE  CHILD   .      .      .      ...      .      .      .10 

HAPPINESS 11 

TRANSMUTATION        12 

SAFE         13 

BLESSINGS 14 

A   DAY 15 

MY   ROSARY 16 

LIFE        17 

DEATH      ;;;;.. 18 

VIA     DOLOROSA 19 

DIVINE    LOVE 20 

CONFIDENCE 21 

PURPOSE 22 

BREAD    OF    LIFE 23 

PEACE    .     ; 24 

LONGINGS 25 

UNFREIGHTED    SHIPS 26 

IF 27 

A    PRAYER 28 

GOD'S  CARE 29 


PAGE 

ASSURANCE 30 

THE  WAYS  OF  LIFE 31 

WITHOUT— WITHIN 32 

APART 33 

THE   SOUL'S   CRY 34 

SERVICE 35 

INASMUCH 36 

COMPENSATION       ..........  37 

CONSECRATION 38 

ANYWHERE 39 

THY  DAY 40 

IF  WE  COULD  UNDERSTAND 41 

THE   MASTER'S  PORTION 42 

KINDNESS 44 

A   HALLOWED   DAY 45 

INFLUENCE 46 

POURED    OUT      ...........  47 

LOVE'S     MINISTRY 48 

RESURRECTION  MORN 49 

THE  SOUL'S  MARCH 50 

DIVINE     PITY 51 

RESPONSIBILITY 52 

POSSESSION 53 

THE     CROSS-ROADS 54 

THE  MESSAGE  OF  THE  HOURS 55 

FORGIVENESS 56 

WEAKNESS 57 

CHARITY 58 

MY   HERITAGE 59 

SONGS  IN  THE  NIGHT   .  60 


PAGE 

SYMPATHY 61 

THE  COMMON  TASK 62 

THY  KINGDOM 63 

THE    CHRIST 64 

THE  UPLANDS 65 

OPPORTUNITY 66 

LIFE'S    LOOM 67 

SORROW .  68 

INJUSTICE 69 

RENUNCIATION 70 

BURDEN-SHARING 71 

TRUST 72 

GOD'S    BOUNTY 73 

LIFE'S    MUSIC 74 

DIVINITY          75 

THE    OLD   YEAR  76 


THE  SOUL'S  FLIGHT 

A  birdling  poised  on  the  edge  of  the  nest 

Tried  its  wings  for  flight 

In  the  morning  light, 

And  fluttering  fell  to  the  ground. 
No  strength  in  the  wings  that  have  had  no 
fight  with  the  air. 

But  now  see  it  soar 

Far  up  the  blue, 

As  it  passes  from  sight 

In  its  newborn  might. 

A  lesson  it  brings  to  this  soul  of  mine 
That  with  pinions  poised  sought  to  mount  to 

the  skies, 
But  for  lack  of  strength  it  could  not  rise. 

The  years  speed  by,  this  soul  of  mine 

Is  on  the  wing, 

And  soaring  sings  glad  freedom's  strain. 

The  strength  that  only  God  can  give 

Doth  bid  it  live 

In  realms  of  light  and  love 

With  him  above. 


[1] 


GOD'S  ACRE 

She  is  not  there; 

It  is   the  pain  racked  tenement  that  held  the 

spirit 
Fettered,   until   God   called   it   to   its   mansion 

fair. 

The  spirit  had  outgrown 
Its  earthly  home. 
We  lay  the  precious  dust  away 
Until  the  resurrection  day. 
The  casket  there, 

The  jewel  safe  within  the  Father's  care. 
As  life  in  all  its  fulness  grows 
It  bursts  its  bonds; 
No  longer  can  it  stay 
Encased  in  gloom  from  light  of  day. 
Can  chrysalis  for'ere  enfold 
The  lovely  creature  we  behold? 
Or  can  the  lily's  bloom 
Remain  in  murky  tomb? 
We  mourn  them  lost, 
O,  can  it  be  redemption's  cost 
Can  mean  so  little? 

We  have  a  living  Saviour,  not  a  dead  one: 
They  live,  not  here,  but  there, 
So  safe  within  the  Father's  care. 


[2] 


IF  WE  HAD  ONLY  KNOWN 

If  we  had  only  known, 

How  kind  and  gentle  day  by  day 

We  would  have  grown; 

How  tender  of  our  loved  one's  way, 

If  we  had  only  known 

That  we  so  soon  must  walk  alone. 

If  we  could  only  see 

The  end  from  the  beginning, 

Would  we  not  ever  be 

Just  kind  and  winning? 

How  softly  would  we  touch  life's  lute 

Before  it  had  grown  mute. 

If  we  another's  life 

Could  know;  its  purpose  and  its  strife, 

Would  it  not  make  our  own 

More  thoughtful,  soften  every  tone? 

Would  we  not  banish  day  by  day 

The  shadows  from  our  brother's  way? 


[3] 


OUR  OWN 

Just  gone  before 

Our  own  bark  shall  be  launched  for  Heaven's 

shore ; 

A  little  space 

And  we,  too,  shall  reach  the  place 
Where  tired  feet  may  rest: 
While  we  abide  within  this  tenement  of  clay, 
What  though  the  light  of  God's  eternal  day 
Be  hid  from  view? 
We  know  we  shall  live  too ; 
It  is  his  promise: 
Why  strain  eyes  dim  with  tears? 
Why  break  sad  hearts  at  shrouded  biers? 
The  spirit  fair  has  winged  its  way 
To  glories  of  immortal  day. 
Our  loss  is  gain  to  that  dear  one 
Whose  sands  of  life  have  early  run 
The  hour-glass  of  Time. 
He,  who  did  tread  the  wine-press  all  alone, 
Whose  grave  fast-locked  with  sealed  stone, 
Released  by  power  divine, 
Has  entered  Port  with  yours  and  mine. 


[4] 


PURIFIED 

"He   shall   sit  as   a  refiner   and  purifier   of   silver." 
Mai.  3:3. 

He  sitteth  at  the  furnace  door 

Lest  flame  consume  the  precious  ore; 

It  is  His  hand  controls  the  heat 

That  makes  complete 

The  perfect  jewel. 

Shall  we  not  bear 

The  heat  of  life's  affliction  bravely 

Since  in  His  care  we  are,  the  care  of  One 

Who  is  the  Father's  Son. 

When  dross  is  all  consumed  and  He  beholds 

His  perfect  image  in  our  souls, 

He'll  stay  the  flame  and  set  us  free, 

Thrice  blessed  ministry. 


[5] 


SORROW'S  ALCHEMY 

Life  mends  itself  by  using  other  lives 

To  fill  the  rent  made  by  the  hand  of  sorrow. 

When  we  can  borrow 

From  some  sadder  heart 

A  larger  part 

Of  grief, 

'Tis  then  we  find  relief. 

To  feed 

Another's  need 

Makes  our  own  lighter  grow. 

We  know 

Christ  came  not  to  receive  but  give. 

'Tis  thus  we  live. 


[6] 


GOD'S  SCHOOL 

So  patient  is  the  Master; 

And  we 

Who  cannot  see 

The  end  from  the  beginning, 

Grow  restless  when  the  lessons  set 

By  Him  are  hard ;  we  fret, 

And  try  to  put  aside  the  rule 

Of  God's  own  school: 

The  task  is  hard,  we  say, 

And  so  we  turn  away; 

Forgetting  that  when  lessons  hard  are  learned, 

We  shall  have  grown  in  grace, 

The  glory  of  his  face 

Will  shine  in  us, 

And  we  shall  fitted  be 

For  life's  eternity. 

'Tis  not  the  Master's  way  to  be  unkind; 

Did  He  not  come  to  bind 

Up  the  broken-hearted? 

Some  day  we'll  understand 

The  lessons  set  by  God's  own  hand, 

And  then  we'll  wonder  why  it  was  that  we 

Had  failed  to  see 

God's  goodness  in  the  tasks 

He  set  for  you  and  me. 


COMPANIONSHIP 

If  baptized  I  am  with  Thee 
I  must  have  my  Calvary; 
Not  alone  the  cross  to  bear, 
I,  too,  with  my  Lord,  may  share 
All  the  glories  of  the  Mount; 
May  I  then  not  surely  count 
It  joy  to  be 
With  Him,  in  Gethsemane? 


[8] 


FAITH 

Blind  to  all  Thy  purposes  are  we; 

And  yet  to  see 

The  way  along  life's  road 

Would  bode 

No  good,  but  ill: 

Life's  brightest  day  is  all  too  dim  for  mortal 

sight : 

To  walk  aright 
Each  day, 

Man  must  be  led  along  life's  way. 
When  Heaven's  portals  open  wide, 
And  faith  and  sight  stand  side  by  side, 
Man's  eyes  no  more  will  holden  be, 
For  in  eternity 

The  light  of  God's  immortal  day 
Will  shine  undimmed  on  life's  rough  way. 


[9] 


AS  A  LITTLE  CHILD 

For  some  wise  reason  God  withholds  from  you 
and  me 

The  mysteries  of  Eternity. 
Can  we  not  trust,  until  he  opens  wide  the  gate, 

His  love  so  great? 
As  little  children  we  must  be, 
If  we  would  come  to  see 

The  Father's  face, 

So  full  of  love  and  grace. 
Can  we  not  clasp  the  Father's  hand  and  be  at 

rest 
Because  he  knoweth  best? 

As  little  children  we  must  find 
The  peace  for  which  we  pine. 
For  he  who  holds  the  key 

To  life's  dark  mystery 
Some  day  will  lift  from  eyes  the  seal, 
And  to  the  trusting  soul  reveal 
The  way  o'er  which  he  led  his  child 
To  pastures  green,  through  deserts  wild. 


[10] 


HAPPINESS 

It  is  not  happiness  to  travel  on  life's  road 

And  feel  the  pressure  of  no  load, 

No  burden  weighing  down; 

Without  the  cross  there  is  no  crown: 

To  have  no  part  in  God's  redemptive  plan 

For  man: 

But  happiness  it  is  to  feel  the  thrill 

That  comes  from  doing  of  God's  will: 

With  Him  to  place  the  choosing  of  our  way, 

Then  not  to  stay 

With  laggard  feet, 

But  fleet 

Of  foot,  to  go  where  He  appoints; 

In  Nature's  book  we  read 

That  every  tiny  seed 

Fulfills  its  mission ; 

Happy  he 

Who  doth  fulfill  life's  destiny. 


[11] 


TRANSMUTATION 

In  the  crucible  of  life's  great  urn 

Sorrow  into  joy  will  turn 

If  the  alchemy  aright  is  used, 

And  the  love  of  God  is  fused 

Into  fervid  heat;  nothing  can  withstand 

The  love  of  God  to  man. 


[12] 


SAFE 

When  winds  do  blow 

My  tiny  craft  now  to  and  fro; 

If  in  the  ship  He  lies  at  rest, 

E'en  though  the  crest 

Of  curling  wave  o'erwhelm  my  bark, 

And  stars  have  paled,  and  it  be  dark, 

He'll  bid  the  troubled  waters  cease, 

And  all  my  soul  shall  be  at  peace. 


[13] 


BLESSINGS 

We  quite  forget  that  blessings  low  do  lie, 

Not  in  the  sky 

Far  out  of  sight,  is  Christ, 

But  here  among  his  own 

Where  he  can  hear  life's  moan : 

"Singing  birds  their  nests  build  low:" 

Touching  earth  is  God's  rainbow: 

Truth  is  found  at  Jesus'  feet 

Where  Mary  sat  in  contemplation  sweet. 


A  DAY 

A  day;  what  is  it  but  a  span 

Of  time  allotted  man 

To  work  in  partnership  with  God, 

And  fellowship  with  Christ  the  Lord, 

To  carry  out  his  plan  divine, 

On  this  his  day  and  mine? 

This  day,  dear  Lord,  thou  givest  me 

To  mould  and  fashion  it  for  thee; 

Divinely  fair;  may  I  not  mar 

Its  symmetry ;  be  no  bar 

To  purposes  of  thine 

On  this  thy  day  and  mine. 

This  is  thy  day,  dear  Lord,  not  mine; 
Transfigured  by  thy  touch  divine, 
Each  homely  duty  glorified  will  be 
When  wrought  for  thee; 
And  I  may  sing  upon  my  way 
On  this  thy  day. 

When    dawn   grows    into   noon,    and   noon    to 

night, 

And  fades  the  light, 
I  fain  would  ask 
That  no  unfinished  task 
Shall  bid  it  stay, 
This,  this  thy  day. 

[15] 


MY  ROSARY 

Life  is  my  rosary,  on  which  is  strung  the  beads 

of  day : 

Each  day  a  pearl. 

Tremulously  I  finger  each  priceless  gem, 
Some  day  to  be  worn  in  my  diadem. 


[16] 


LIFE 

As  I  arise  each  day 

And  from  Thy  hand, 

Dear  Lord,  I  take  life's  potion, 

May  I  understand 

The  fullness  of  its  meaning; 

The  power  that  within  myself  doth  lie, 

That  I  may  try 

To  rise  on  wings  of  high  endeavor, 

Until  at  length 

In  Thy  great  strength, 

Some  vision  of  its  power  may  see, 

The  vision  of  the  Christ  in  me. 


[17] 


DEATH 

I  count  it  gain,  not  loss ; 

A  crown,  no  cross; 
A  leaving  of  the  shuttle  and  the  loom 
To  pass  into  life's  upper  room; 
A  going  out  from  strife  and  sin 
To  perfect  peace  within ; 
A  traveling  through  a  darkened  way 
Into  the  light  of  endless  day ; 
A  tuning  of  the  lute 

That   in   Life's    sluggish   hand   has   grown   so 
mute; 

A  harbor,  where 

The  soul  is  safe  from  anxious  care; 
A  spirit  winging  heaven's  way 

From  tenement  of  clay; 
A  shelter  from  the  wintry  blast, 
A  haven  with  the  Christ  at  last. 


[18] 


VIA  DOLOROSA 

The  way  of  sorrow 
May  lead  thee  to  a  glad  to-morrow; 
Take  thou  thy  cross,  and  cheerfully  it  bear 
Up  Calvary's  steep,  the  Christ  will  meet  thee 
there. 


[19] 


DIVINE   LOVE 

Love  eternal,  light  immortal, 

Shines  serene  from  Calvary's  brow; 

Cross  upraised  for  God's  law  broken, 

Lamb  as  sacrificial  token ; 
Through  the  Christ  God's  pardon  spoken: 
"It  is  finished,"  Jesus  cried ; 
Deity  was  satisfied. 


[20] 


CONFIDENCE 

Though  we  fail  to  understand 

Appointed  ways,  a  gentle  hand 

Leads  us  up  the  rugged  steep, 

Over  land  or  on  the  deep ; 

Never  need  we  walk  alone, 

This  his  promise — he  will  ever  keep  his  own. 

If  the  way  be  dark  we  tread, 

Joy  is  ours  because  we're  led; 

Rough  the  road?  why  should  we  care, 

He  has  promised  to  be  there: 

Boasted  strength  or  favoring  tide, 

Shall  they  take  us  from  thy  side? 


PURPOSE 

Mine  to  do  and  dare 

Large  things,  and  bear 

The  sting  of  trial  with  a  grace 

That  comes  from  gazing  on  His  face. 

Mine  to  be  brave  and  true, 
A  plotting  off  the  old  and  on  the  new 
Creation,  that  I  equipped  may  be 
For  every  task  He  sendeth  me. 

Mine  to  freight  the  hour 

With  heavenly  power, 

A  lever  that  will  lift  to  God 

A  burdened  world  for  Christ  my  Lord. 


BREAD  OF  LIFE 

'Tis  manna  from  yon  Heaven 

To  mortals  given. 

Fresh  every  day  from  God's  own  hand, 

It  covers  all  the  land. 

Life  giving,  making  whole 

The  sin-sick  soul. 

It  is  God's  way 

That  we  the  manna  gather  every  day. 

Our  need  is  great, 

But  greater  still  his  bounteous  store 

From  which  we   draw 

Our   need; 

Lord,  feed 

Us   evermore. 


PEACE 

Outside  of  self  man's   efforts  must  be   spent, 

Unto  another  must  his  life  be  lent 

Ere  peace  be  found; 

Self  once  uncrowned, 

An  exile  far  from  home, 

Then  peace  will  come. 

Self  wars,   and  peace  is  all  unknown, 

Self  overcome,  and  peace  is  on  the  throne. 


[24] 


LONGINGS 

Thy  face, 

Dear  Lord,  to  see;  thy  grace 

To  know 

That  here  below 

A  Heaven  may  be, 

Touched  with  thy  great  divinity: 

Thy  truth  to  know, 

Thy  love  to  flow 

Through  me 

That  all  the  beauty  of  my  Lord  may  see 

My  life  a  prayer; 

With  Thee,  all  joys  to  share: 

Within  Thy  law  to  live; 

To  make  Thy  word  my  daily  food, 

The  sum  of  human  good. 

To  walk  and  talk  with  Thee, 

And  so  to  live  in  charity. 


UNFREIGHTED   SHIPS 

Unfreighted  ships  on  life's  restless  sea; 

On  board, 

There  is  no  cargo  for  the  Lord: 

Where  is  the  gold  He  gavest  in  trust? 

Where  have  we  put  it,  where  moth  and  where 

rust 

Its  value  consume?  or  where  thieves  enter  in 
And  seize  it  for  sin? 
Only  on  board  we  find  fruitless  fears, 
There  is  no  trace  of  the  wealth  of  the  years. 
Unfreighted  ships  on  life's  restless  sea, 
Bound  for  the  Port  of  Eternity. 


[26] 


IF 

If  we  could  only  know  how  deep  the  hurt  would 
be 

To  our  own  souls 
For  Time  and  for  Eternity, 
How  careful  of  life's  jar  and  fret; 

But  we  forget. 

If  we  could  only  feel  the  world's  great  ache  of 
heartj 

From  life's  deep  stress 
Would  we  still  hold  apart 

With  faces   set, 

Try  to  forget? 

If  when  we  hear  the  world's  sad  measured  tread, 

We'd  Christlike  be, 
And  banish  clouds  that  hover  overhead; 

No  vain  regret 
Would  then  be  ours  because  we  did  forget. 


[27] 


A  PRAYER 

Grant,  dear  Lord,  that  I  may  be 

In  all  sweet  charity 

Like  unto  Thee; 

Patient  in  suffering,  attentive  to  thy  lightest 

whisper ; 

Do  Thou  this  day 
Help  to  faithfulness,  I  pray; 
Grant  that  some  soul  through  me 
Now  blest  may  be: 
In  life's  great  work, 
Help  me  in  sunny  fields,  or  in  the  murk 
Of  city  street, 
To  be  fleet- 

Footed  for  thy  every  task, 
This,  Lord,  I  ask: 
To  lift  some  burden  weighing  down, 
To  smooth  away  the  frown; 
Give  strength  to  sow  the  seed 
Of  service,  man's  great  need; 
Of  kindness,  God's  sweet  gift ; 
Of  power  to  send  a  rift 
Of  light  into  some  darkened  heart; 
To  be  a  part 
Of  Thy  great  plan 
For  man. 


[28] 


GOD'S  CARE 

What  of  the  raging  sea, 

If  the  Christ  of  Galilee 

Be  at  thy  side 

Rebuking  the   fretting  wave? 

His  power  is  mighty  to  save. 

What  of  the  dungeon  dark? 

What  of  thy  storm-tossed  bark? 

The  Maker  of  earth  and  sea 

Is  the  God  of  Eternity. 

Fear  ye  the  furnace  glow? 

Do  ye  not  know 

The  figure  of  a  third  is  there, 

And  ye  are  in  his  loving  care? 


[29] 


ASSURANCE 

The  meadow  lark  mounts  up  on  high 
And  flings  a  challenge  from  the  sky; 
God  is  in  Heaven, 
All  praise  to  Him  be  given. 

It  is  in  lovely,  budding  flower 
We  see  the  resurrection  power; 
Our  Christ  in  Heaven, 
What  hope  to  mortals  given. 


[30] 


THE  WAYS  OF  LIFE 

The  ways  of  life  are  with  the  Lord ; 

'Tis  He  who  guides  the  spheres 

Through  all  the  years ; 

Eternal  laws  obey  His  will, 

Shall  not  our  troubled  souls  be  still? 

The  ways  of  life  are  with  the  Lord; 
What  though  we  do  not  understand? 
Our  life  is  safe  within  His  hand; 
No  power  is  there 
To  pluck  us  from  our  Father's  care. 

The  ways  of  life  are  with  the  Lord; 
He  draweth  nigh  with  healing  touch, 
And  in  such 

Tender  tones  He  bids  us  trust  the  One 
Who  is  the  Father's  Son. 


WITHOUT— WITHIN 

What  if  the  day  be  cold  and  dark, 
If  there  be  sunshine  in  my  heart, 
If  God's  abiding  love  be  there, 
Can  I  despair? 

Without  may  be  as  drear  as  night, 
What  matter,  so  within  be  light? 
Without  the  storm,  within  the  joy, 
What  is  it  can  Thy  peace  destroy? 

What  if  the  strife  wage  fierce  and  long, 
So  that  within  there  be  a  song? 
Without  the  strife,  within  the  peace, 
Without  the  care,  within  release. 


[S3] 


APART 

sent  the  mt 
up  into  a  mountain  apart  to  pray."     Matt.  14:23. 


"And  when  He  had  sent  the  multitudes  away,  He  went 


Spent  with  the  heavy  load  of  human  grief, 

He  sought  relief 

On  mountain  side  alone, 

Far  from  the  world's  sad  moan. 

Apart  from  the  busy  throng, 

That  pressed  Him  all  day  long, 

Away  from  earth's  voices  loud, 

Far  from  the  surging  crowd, 

In  communion  with  His  Lord, 

The  Son  of  God 

Sought  strength. 

The  life  God  gavest, 

Take  thou  from  busy  care, 

To  where 

The  Man  of  Galilee 

As  Bread  to  thy  soul  shalt  be. 


[33] 


THE  SOUL'S  CRY 

MORNING. 

0  Lord,  this  day 

For  strength,  I  pray; 

Give  me  Thy  peace; 

My  shackled  soul  release 

From  torturing  care; 

And  may  my  spirit  wear 

The  Heavenly  dress: 

Grant  me  success 

In  all  Thou  givest  me  to  do ; 

May  I  be  true  to  high  attainment; 

Ever  faithful  be 

In  thought  and  word  to  Thee. 

NIGHT. 

The  day  is  spent: 

On  bended  knee  I  plead 

Full  pardon  for  the  deed 

Unkind ; 

For  hours  unf reighted  with  the  day's  best  good ; 

For  words  misunderstood; 

For  what  I  might  have  been,  and  failed  to  be, 

For  lack  of  constancy; 

Oh  take  away  my  sins,  sins  of  the  day, 

1  pray ; 

Turn  not  Thy  face  from  me  aside, 
But  grant  me  peace  at  eventide. 


SERVICE 

Strength  for  the  world's  great  need, 

Not  selfish  ends  I  plead. 

Life's  greatest  good  lies  not  within  the  me  and 

mine, 

This  I  can  only  find 
In  service  for  mankind. 
Man  ever  strives  for  pleasure, 
Not  taking  other  lives  within  the  measure 
Of  his  own  plan. 
Earth's    joys    will    burst    as    bubbles    to    the 

touch, 

Or  handled  over  much 
Distasteful  grow. 
Blast  not  thy  hope 
To  seek  within  the  scope 
Of  thine  own  life 
That  depth  of  joy 
That  service  blest  alone  can  give. 
'Tis  only  thus  we  live. 


[35] 


INASMUCH 

For  that  brother  in  the  night 

Will  your  lamp  be  trimmed  and  bright, 

Sending  forth  its  joyous  ray 

Lest  the  wandering  feet  should  stray? 

Some  lone  pilgrim  on  life's  strand 

Needing  now  a  helping  hand. 

Know  ye  not  the  deed  shall  be 

To  the  Christ  of  Galilee? 

"Inasmuch"  the  words  are  those 

Of  the  Master,  He  who  chose 

In  the  humblest  of  his  own 

To  be  found  and  ever  known ; 

If  to  such  the  deed  be  done, 

It  is  to  the  Father's  Son. 


[36] 


COMPENSATION 

The  chords  of  life  grim  Sorrow  broke, 
And  lo,  a  seraph's  song  awoke; 
The  shattered  tenement  of  clay 
Set's   free   the   spirit  Heaven's  way ; 
The  dying  breath  of  some  fair  flower 
With  perfume  fills  the  passing  hour; 
Born  of  the  storm  is  rainbow  hue, 
It  is  God's  pledge  to  man  anew; 
For  death  is  life,  abundant,  free, 
O  blessed  immortality. 


[37] 


CONSECRATION 

If  Thou  have  need  of  me, 

May  I  but  willing  be 

To  live  and  work  for  Thee. 

Find  not  too  hard  the  road, 
And  cheerful  bear  the  load 
Thou  givest  me. 

The  way  cannot  be  long, 
If  Thou  but  give  a  song, 
Amid  life's  busy  throng. 

No  task  too  hard  for  Thee 
Dear  Lord,  can  ever  be; 
Give  of  Thy  strength  to  me. 

Do  Thou  but  lead  the  way 

To  service,  I  obey; 

Be  Thou  my  guide  and  stay. 

Give  grace  in  shade  and  sun 
Until  life's  work  be  done, 
Life's  victory  won. 


[38] 


ANYWHERE 

In  any  place, 
So  that  I  see  Thy  face, 
And  feel  Thy  love  untold 

Thy  child  enfold. 
I  would  not  choose  the  spot 

To  place  my  lot ; 
It  is  but  joy  to  go 
Where  rivers  of  His  grace  do  flow; 
To  dwell  with  Him  apart 

In  busy  mart; 

Or  to  some  distant  shore  set  sail 
In  answer  to  the  Christless  wail; 

Him  would  I  serve; 
Ready  now  to  stay  or  go 
When  my  Master  wills  it  so ; 
If  I  can  carry  but  a  smile, 

The  while, 
Into  some  lonely,  sinful  spot, 

This  be  my  lot; 
If  I,  in  midst  of  tears, 
Can  calm  the  fears 
Of  some  weak  soul 
Longing  to  be  whole, 
Lead  some  poor  wanderer  home  to  rest, 
Then  am  I  blest. 


[39] 


THY  DAY 

This  is  Thy  day,  O,  Lord,  lent  to  us 

For  our  soul's  refreshment; 

At  evening's  close  may  we  but  give 

It  back  to  Thee, 

A  record  of  sweet  ministry, 

For  Thy  dear  sake; 

And  if  some  little  sacrifice  we  make 

On  this  Thy  day, 

It  will  shed  brightness  on  the  way 

Of  other  days,  wherein  the  stress  of  duty 

Robs  life  of  beauty, 

And  makes  us  long  for  quiet  and  repose, 

When  day  shall  close. 

This  is  Thy  day, 

Dear  Lord;  we  pray 

That  it  may  be  a  sacred  trust 

From  Thee  to  us; 

And  may  Thy  promises  divine 

Give  strength  sublime 

For  holy  tasks. 

The  Sabbath  of  the  soul, 

May  it  enfold 

These  lives  of  ours 

With  heavenly  powers. 


[40] 


IF  WE   COULD  UNDERSTAND 

If  we  could  understand  what  comes  to  us  each 

day, 
Or  see  the  path  we  tread  along  life's  rugged 

way; 

Why  our  poor  lives  are  compassed  so  about 
With  fear  and  doubt; 
Why  strength 

Forever 

Is  spent  in  vain  endeavor; 
Why  droops  some  royal  flower 
Bent  low  by  wind  and  storm  within  its  bower. 

If  we  could  understand  the  mysteries  of  life, 
Would   we   then  be   contented  with   this   daily 

strife  ? 
If  eyes  were  not  so  blinded  by  the  tears  that 

fall  like  rain, 

If  ears  were  not  so  deadened  by  earth's  dis 
cordant  strain, 

We  might  the  music  hear 

Of  another  sphere, 
Or  see  some  heavenly  vision  clear. 
And  yet,  should  we  that  knowledge  gain, 
Sweet  Trust  were  slain. 
Our  souls  would  losers  be 
Through  all  eternity, 
If  we  could  understand. 


[41] 


THE   MASTER'S   PORTION 

"Take  eat," 

It  is   the   Master's   voice  that  bids   us   to   the 

feast 

From  greatest  to  the  least; 
Upon  each  royal  guest 
Is  pressed 

The  emblems  of  a  body  broken, 
Love's  wondrous  token ; 
And  holy  wine, 
Blood  of  the  Man  Divine: 
Shall  we  give  less 
A  world  to  bless? 
It  is  the  Master's  portion; 
Surely  it  is  mete 
We  give  a  life  complete: 
"Freely  ye  have  received,"  as  freely  give 
If  ye  would  truly  live; 
Lose  your  life  if  you  would  find 
It  multiplied  in  humankind: 
It  is  the  Master's  portion ; 
Is  this  too  much 
For  such 

A  One  who  counted  life  not  dear  unto  Himself? 
For  sin  He  paid  the  price: 
Your  life  a  living  sacrifice 
Is  His  desire, 
Not  burned  out  ashes  of  life's  fire: 

[42] 


It  is  the  Master's  portion,  who  counted  it  not 

loss 

To  bear  the  cross: 
The  Master's  gift  to  you  and  me 
And  ours  to  Him,  what  shall  it  be? 


[43] 


KINDNESS 

Be  kind: 

Why  do  we  walk  life's  wayside  blind, 

When  breaking  hearts  so  need  our  care, 

And  stooping  shoulders  burdens  bear 

That  we  could  lift. 

And  through  the  darkness  send  a  rift 

Of  sunlight. 

Deaf  to  the  heart-beats  of  that  one  who  needs 

Kind  words  and  deeds. 

Life's   harp  strings   quiver  with  the  stress   of 

tears, 

There  are  so  many  biers ; 
A  kind  word  shot  athwart  the  sky  of  sorrow 
May  bring  a  glad  to-morrow; 
Life's    funeral    pyres    on    which    are    laid    the 
Hopes  and  fears 
Of  all  the  years, 

Into  a  mound  of  roses  changed  may  be 
By  some  kind  word  from  you  and  me. 


[44] 


A  HALLOWED  DAY 

May  this   day  hallowed  be 

In  thought  and  word,  a  part  of  Thee : 

No  dread,  no  fear, 

Thy  presence  near; 

What  need  to  know 

The  outcome  of  the  day's  hard  toil, 

Or  soil 

The  soul  with  doubt? 

Perchance  I  may  be  one  of  that  blest  companie 

That  thou  wilt  call  to  walk 

And  talk 

With  Thee,  as  chosen  ones  of  old 

To  whom  Thou  didst  unfold 

Thy  message: 

I,  this  day, 

While  led  in  Thy  appointed  way, 

Will  surely  to  new  consciousness  awake 

Of  fuller  powers ; 

And  if  my  Lord  and  I  keep  companie, 

This  day  will  truly  be 

A  benediction  sweet 

To  all  I  meet. 


[45] 


INFLUENCE 

Thoughts,  words,  deeds  alive  with  heart-throbs, 

yours  and  mine, 
Cruel  things  or  things  Divine; 
Out  into  the  world,  strange  birds  they  fly 
With  their  message  far  and  nigh: 
Ripples  on  the  Stream  of  Time 
Lapping  shores  in  some  far  clime : 
Ships  upon  a  boundless  sea 
Reaching  to  Eternity. 


[46] 


POURED  OUT 

How  cool  the  ointment  poured 
On  tired  feet  of  Mary's  Lord. 
Her  tresses  like  the  sunbeams  kissed  the  weary 

feet 

That  throbbed  and  beat 
Road-spent, 

On  heavenly  errands  bent; 
That  brow  thorn-pressed, 
Those  eyes  love  blest, 
That  face  so  full  of  grace, 
Those  lips  that  drank  life's  cup  of  woe 
To  its  great  overflow: 
Deep  waves  of  sorrow  rolling  in 
Upon  His  anguished  soul; 
The  whole 
Of  life  poured  out, 
Libation  on  the  altar  of  man's  sin, 
His  love  to  win. 


[47] 


LOVE'S   MINISTRY 

Love  knows  not  self 

Or  selfish  ends; 

Its  friends 

Abound 

Where  want  is  found: 

Love  knows  no  measure, 

Her  treasure 

Lavishly  she  gives; 

She  lives 

For  others'  need;  fair 

Messenger  of  God  in  service  rare. 

Self  out  of  sight, 

Man  can  unite 

With  God  and  be 

With  Him  in  blessed  ministry. 


[48] 


RESURRECTION  MORN 

Hope  slept 

While  guards  their  lonely  vigil  kept: 

Ere  rosy  fingers  of  the  dawn 

Had  touched  the  morn, 

The  sealed  tomb 

Was  brushed  by  angel  wing,  no  longer  gloom 

Within  the  portal, 

But  light  immortal: 

An    angel    came   the   sleeping   Christ   to  wake 

For  mortals'  sake; 

Hope  spoke 

When  Christ  awoke. 


[49] 


THE  SOUL'S  MARCH 

"We  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against 
principalities,  against  powers;  against  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world;  against  spiritual  wickedness  in 
high  places."  Eph.  6:12. 

Not  to  drum  and  to  fife 

Is  the  march  of  the  soul 

In  the  battle  of  life; 

But  a  voice  still  and  small 

Is  the  summons ;  the  call 

To  duty;  obey 

And  be  victor  in  life's  fiercest  fray. 

The  call,  danger's  alarm 

In  life's  pleasant  calm ; 

The  foe  all  unseen; 

A  screen 

Is  the  flesh 

That  hides  from  man's  sight 

The  enemy's  might. 

But  proof  'gainst  the  weakness  of  man 

Is  the  armor  of  God ; 

No  foe  can  withstand  the  Word  of  the  Lord: 

For  the  victor,   the  Master's  "Well  done," 

When  battles  are  won. 


[50] 


DIVINE  PITY 

Man  stained  with  sin, 
So  foul  within, 
Brought  from   above 
A  Saviour's  love. 

A  pierced  side, 
Love's   cleansing  tide, 
A  sin-sick  soul, 
By  Christ  made  whole. 

At  Calvary 
Love  set  men  free; 
At  empty  tomb, 
Light  banished  gloom. 


RESPONSIBILITY 

Alone,  no  man  may  walk, 

For  tracking  him 

Arc  shadows  grim; 

Or  at  his  side, 

Joy  will  abide 

As  his  companion, 

For  seeds  of  kindness  sown, 

For  deeds  of  mercy  done ; 

Alone,  he  may  not  walk; 

No  man  liveth  to  himself,  no  never, 

Nor  can  he  sever 

His  frail  life 

From  that  of  brother  man ; 

Man  lives  or  dies  as  to  another, 

And  he  his  brother. 

Alone,  he  may  not  walk, 

Accusing  or  excusing  him  each  day 

Upon  life's  way, 

The  still  small  voice 

That  causes  him  to  weep  or  to  rejoice: 

A  power  for  uplift,  man  may  be 

Or  send  adrift 

Some  soul,  a  derelict,  upon  life's  boundless  sea. 


POSSESSION 

Not  what  I  have,  but  what  I  am,  is  mine ; 

No  worldly  goods  I  boast, 

But  all  my  gifts  come  from  the  hand  Divine: 

They  are  the  sum  of  all  things ; 

The  riches  of  His  grace, 

The  glory  of  His  face 

Revealed  to  me; 

His  promises  are  sure, 

They  will  endure; 

And  they  are  mine; 

More  wonderful   than  jewels   they   shall  shine 

Upon  my  path; 

And  I  may  carry  them  to  yonder  shore, 

Mine  they  shall  be  forever  more. 


[53] 


THE  CROSS-ROADS 

One  leads  to  Calvary: 

The  dawn  of  Hope  transfigures  all  the  way ; 
Nor  heat,  nor  cold 

The  feet  delay;  nor  thorny  path  the  eyes  be 
hold; 

Naught  is  there  that  can  intervene 
To  hide  the  distant  scene. 
The  other  leads  from  Calvary's  brow, 
A  road  with  flowers  strewn ; 
But  soon 

'Tis  desert  land,  the  flowers  decay 
Along  this  way: 
To  hills  of  Paradise, 
No  road  save  by  the  way  of  sacrifice. 


[54] 


THE   MESSAGE   OF  THE   HOURS 

Redeem  the  time  while  ye  may, 

Golden  our  gifts,  they  say; 

Fresh  from  the  hand  of  God,  to  the  children  of 

men, 

Blessings  we  bring  again  and  again. 
Golden  treasure 
Without  measure 

Is  the  gift  they  leave  at  our  door  each  day, 
Then  silently  steal  away. 
Throw  away  gold? 
Manifold 

Greater  the  power 
That  lies  in  each  passing  hour. 
In  life's  short  day 
Throw  gold  away? 
A  spendthrift  is  he 
Who   squanders   such  treasure  aimlessly. 


[55] 


FORGIVENESS 

Alone,  husks  for  his  hunger: 

His  father  has  enough,  enough  to  spare, 

And  eager  he  to  share 

With  one 

Who  is  his  son. 

The  wandering  feet 

Wooed  by  the  father's  open  door, 

Turned  back  upon  their  way 

While  yet  'twas  day. 

Not  grudgingly  doth  love  bestow  forgiveness. 

"A  great  way  off"  the  father  runs  to  meet 

The  weary  one,  all  spent  with  heat 

Of  toilsome  road 

Bearing  his  load 

Of  sin. 

Unworthy?  yes,  but  love  restores  again 

To  men 

Their  heritage. 

Wide  open  is  the  door 

To  welcome  him  once  more. 


[56] 


WEAKNESS 

Weary?     Faint-hearted? 

In  weakness,  My  strength 

All  sufficient  shall  be, 

For  am  I  not  He 

Who  flingeth  the  stars  into  space, 

And  holdeth  the  spheres  in  their  place? 

Who  bindeth  the  waves  of  the  sea 

That  they  overwhelm  not? 

Who  hath  said,   sufficient   My   strength   shall 

evermore  be? 
Thy  burden  is  heavy? 
Then  cast  it  on  One  who  has  known 
The  weight  of  the  Cross, 
And  didst  bear  it  alone. 


[57] 


CHARITY 

'Tis  Love's  sweet  task 

To  ask 

No  questions, 

But  o'er  the  sullied  past 

To  cast 

Her  ample  robe ; 

To  blot  from  Memory's  tablet 

Unkindness'  sting, 

The  thing 

That  hurts,  the  jar, 

The  fret, 

All  to  forget : 

Greater  than  Faith  is  Love 

That  thinketh  evil  never; 

And  Hope,  the  pilgrim's  staff 

To  mortals  given,  is  less  though  from  above, 

For  God  Himself  is  Love. 


[58] 


MY  HERITAGE 

Have  I  no  palace  fair  within  to  dwell, 

I  still  can  tell  of  my  possessions : 

A  sky  aflame  with  love  Divine, 

The  glowing  colors  of  the  dying  day, 

Each  starlit  ray, 

Are  mine: 

And  as  I  step  upon  the  fragrant  sod, 

There  too,  I  see  the  hand  of  God 

In  tree  and  flower 

Mine  to  enjoy  this  hour: 

Yea,  all  are  mine; 

No  man  from  me  can  take 

The  glory  that  is  far  and  nigh, 

My  heritage  from  God  on  high. 


[59] 


SONGS  IN  THE  NIGHT 

There's  never  a  day  so  full  of  care 
But  Jesus  the  load  will  help  you  bear; 
A  lifted  load  makes  burdens  light, 
Christ   bringeth    cheer   in   darkest  night; 
Then  sing,  O  soul,  upon  thy  way, 
Be  glad  for  trials  thine  this  day. 

If  borne  aright  they  lead  to  God, 
The  Son  of  Man  passed  under  the  rod ; 
He  knows  each  heart,  He'll  send  relief, 
He  giveth  joy  for  bitter  grief; 
Then  sing,  O  soul,  upon  thy  way, 
And  welcome  trials  thine  this  day. 


[60] 


SYMPATHY 

To  say  "I  know" 

When  in  the  presence  of  another's  woe 

We  stand; 

To  comfort  others  with  the  comfort  given  us 

of  God, 

This  is  the  lesson  that  our  Lord 
Would  have  us  learn; 
How  could  we  understand 
Another's  woe  had  we  not  felt  affliction's  hand? 


[61] 


THE  COMMON  TASK 

"I  am  among  you  as  he  that  servcth."    Luke  22:f7. 

What  if  it  be  in  lowly  ways  we  find 

Our  task;  'tis  service  for  mankind; 

It  can  be  beautified  by  One 

Who  was  the  Son 

Of  Joseph;  man  yet  God 

Feared  not  to  soil 

His  hands  in  daily  toil: 

Each  common   task   transformed  may  be 

By  this  same  Christ  of  Galilee. 


THY  KINGDOM 

Thou  suffered  woe 
That  man  might  know 
A  Heaven  below. 

What  price  to  pay 
For  Heaven's  way 
In  Life's  short  day. 

Thy  work  begun, 
Thy  will  here  done 
From  sun  to  sun. 

What  need  to  pray 

Thy  kingdom  come  this  day, 

Unless  we  work  as  well  as  pray? 


[63] 


THE  CHRIST 

Not  o'er  the  trackless  desert  need  we  go 
To  find  the  Christ: 
For  wheresoe'er  men's  feet  have  trod, 
There  may  be  found  the  Son  of  God : 
O,  blessed  day  when  Christ  was  born, 
O,  blessed,  holy  Christmas  morn; 
So  wondrous  Thy  nativity, 
More  wondrous  still  is  Calvary. 


[64] 


THE  UPLANDS 

To  reach  the  summit's  height 

By  might 

Of  will; 

To  feel  the  thrill 

Of  effort,  crowned  with  vision  rare; 

To  bear 

Within  the  heart,  achievement's  power: 

Not  easy  won  the  goal, 

Effort  the  toll 

To  pay  for  upland  joy,  the  cost 

Lost 

In  the  wonder  of  it  all, 

There  things  of  earth  grow  small: 

He  who  hath  trod 

The  uplands  in  communion  with  his  God, 

Must  richer  be 

For  that  great  vision  of  Eternity. 


[65] 


OPPORTUNITY 

On   winged-feet  he   comes,  bearing  the  hour's 

need: 

He  pauses  at  our  door 
And    knocks ;    unanswered,    he    is    gone    with 

treasures  rich  he  bore. 


[66] 


LIFE'S  LOOM 

So  tangled  is  the  skein  of  life 

And  spoiled  the  pattern  in  the  strife 

By  hands  unskilled: 

But  there  is  One  who'll  stand  beside  us  at  the 

loom 

If  we  for  Him  will  but  make  room: 
Beyond  all  price 

He  tells  us  is  the  thread  of  sacrifice ; 
And  bids  us  weave  with  tender  care 
The  golden  thread  of  Love  so  rare: 
So  fast  the  shuttles  fly;  sometimes  by  sight 
We  weave  the  colors  dark  or  bright ; 
Sometimes  in  blindness  we  must  weave, 
And  leave 
Results  with  One  who  knoweth  all  our  trials 

and  our  fears, 
He  sees  our  tears, 
And  He  will  wipe  them  all  away 
In  that  great  day 

When  we  have  left  the  shuttle  and  the  loom 
To  meet  Him  in  life's  upper  room. 


[67] 


SORROW 

Through  pain  and  sorrow  there  is  wrought 

Within  the  temple  of  the  soul 

A  beauty  fair ; 

Shall  we  not  thank  Thee,  Lord,  for  gems  so 

rare? 

Why  do  we  grasp  the  thorn,  forget  the  flower 
That  blooms  for  us  in  sorrow's  hour? 
God's  view  of  life  so  different  from  our  own ; 
When  we  have  grown 
Out  of  this  narrow  bound, 
We  will  have  found 
Our  lives  were  planned  aright; 
Here  we  must  walk  by  faith,  not  sight. 


[68] 


INJUSTICE 

Yea,  He  bore  it  too; 

Bore  scoff  and  sting  with  heavenly  calm, 

And  having  borne  it,  giveth  balm 

To  all  who  suffer  from  the  stings 

Injustice  brings ; 

Yea,  patiently  He  bore  it  all, 

That  He  might  save  us  from  its  thrall. 


[69] 


RENUNCIATION 

Self  so  obstructs  the  way 

That  leads  to  fulness  of  Life's  day. 

The  Master  sought  to  know 

Another's  woe, 

And  in  the  quest,  His  life  unbound 

From  self,  He  found 

His  work;  untrammeled  He  could  do 

The  hour's  need.     Self  lost,  we  too 

May  find 

Our  task  for  heart  and  mind. 


[70] 


BURDEN-SHARING 

If  I  live  my  life  aright, 
It  will  make  the  burden  light 
For  another. 

If  I  do  with  heart  and  mind 
Whatsoever  task  I  find, 
Then  another 

Will  be  helped  because  I'm  true 
In  the  work  I  have  to  do, 
He,  my  brother. 


[71] 


TRUST 

"Whosoever  shall  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a 
little  child  he  shall  not  enter  therein."    Mark  10:15. 

A  ladder  that  doth  reach  from  earth  to  Heaven 

To  mortals  given; 

By  which  we  mount  each  golden  round  up  to 

the  gate, 

Where  soon  or  late 
As  little  children  we  must  come 
If  we  would  find  the  Father's  home. 


[72] 


GOD'S   BOUNTY 

Into  uplifted  hearts  He'll  pour 
Rich  treasure  from  His  bounteous  store. 
The  flower's  cup  runs  o'er  with  dew, 
And  more,  yea  more,  He'll  give  to  you 
Of  His  rich  grace,  abundant,  free, 
Measured  by  God's  eternity. 


[73] 


LIFE'S   MUSIC 

The  world  is  full  of  the  power  of  song 

If  touched  are  life's  chords  aright; 

The  darkest  night  cannot  be  long, 

For  Hope  dwells  in  the  light. 

The  Master's  hand  repairs  the  lute 

When  broken  with  the  strain 

Of  pain 

It  lieth  mute. 

Unskilled  is  man  in  love's  fine  art; 

When  taught  of  God,  he  setteth  free 

Life's  melody. 


[74] 


DIVINITY 

The  spark  divine  that  smoulders  in  each  breast, 
Fanned  into  flame  at  Love's  behest, 

A  mighty  force 
Becomes,  consuming  dross 

Of  base  desire, 
An  unquenched  fire: 

The  gold  refine, 
Man  then  is  power  divine. 


[75] 


THE  OLD  YEAR 

The  Old  Year  is  dead,  we  say, 

When  at  break  of  day 

A  New  Year  dawns, 

As  the  Old  Year  passes  away. 

And  yet,  is  it  true,  since  naught  can  sever 

Man  from  his  past?     Deeds  live  forever. 

The  days  that  have  flown 

We  never  again  may  call  our  own: 

But  when  Memory's  door  shall  open  wide, 

There  are  the  deeds  that  have  never  died. 

And  over  the  grave  of  the  year  that  has  gone 

You  and  I  may  be  called  to  mourn. 


[76] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

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This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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